Support for construction site layout lines

ABSTRACT

A support for layout lines utilized in laying out construction sites. The support is slidably carried on a stake and includes a clamping bolt to fix it in position on the stake and to allow it to be moved along the stake for adjustment purposes. The support includes a transit pole tab, on which the bottom of a transit pole can be placed for positioning purposes, and a tab for supporting a layout line platform. A clamping member, such as a thumbscrew, is carried in a bracket and overlies the platform to allow the thumbscrew to clamp the layout line in position against the upper face of the platform, which can include a groove or slot for receiving the layout line. The upper surface of the transit pole tab lies in the same plane as the upper surface of the layout line platform.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 60/376,072, filed on Apr. 29, 2002.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] The present invention relates to a support for construction sitelayout lines or strings. More particularly, the present inventionrelates to a site layout line support that can be attached to a stakeand that allows quick positioning of construction site layout lines, andthat also allows simple and quick adjustments to site layout lineorientation and positioning, without the need to move layout stakes orto untie and retie the layout lines to the stakes.

[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0005] The layout of construction projects, such as buildingfoundations, walls, sidewalks, patios, and the like, is generallyaccomplished by setting stakes and site layout lines or strings. Thestakes are placed at the corners of the proposed project, or at someintermediate position, to define an outline of the intended constructionsite, to define the orientation of a portion of the proposed project, tomark a level portion of a project, to indicate grade lines, or to squareup two or more layout lines. Layout lines are attached to the stakes andare oriented by the use of transits, ground measurements, and levels, inorder to properly set the stake positions and layout lines relative tothe ground to facilitate accurate placement of the intended structure orimprovement.

[0006] Typically, the layout lines are attached to the stakes by tyingthe lines around the stakes. When adjustments are needed after a roughinitial layout of the stakes and lines, either the stakes must beremoved and shifted to a new, more accurate position, or the lines mustbe untied and shifted up or down along the stake for proper leveling. Ineither case, the squaring and leveling process may require severaladjustments and is a time-consuming and burdensome process because ofthe need to repeatedly remove and replace the stakes, and because of theneed to repeatedly untie and retie the layout lines to the stakes untilproper positioning of the lines and the stakes has been achieved.

[0007] Additionally, when construction equipment or materials must bemoved onto or off of a site that includes layout stakes and layoutlines, the layout lines must be untied to allow the necessary movementinto or out of the site. The layout lines must then be relocated andreattached which, again, is a time-consuming and burdensome process.

[0008] The present invention is directed to overcoming the problems andlimitations of the previously-utilized techniques, and to simplifyingand speeding up accurate site layout line positioning.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Briefly stated, in accordance with one aspect of the presentinvention, a support is provided for holding a site layout line orstring. A layout line support member includes a support body having alongitudinal axis. A first lateral member is carried by the support bodyand includes a laterally-extending locating surface. A second lateralmember is carried by the support body and is circumferentially offsetfrom the first lateral member, the second lateral member including atransversely-extending platform including a layout line support surface.A line clamping member is carried by the second lateral member forclamping and holding a layout line in a desired position relative to thesupport body.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010]FIG. 1 is a side perspective view of an embodiment of a layoutline support positioned on a stake;

[0011]FIG. 2 is a top view of the support and stake shown in FIG. 1;

[0012]FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of one form of lineplatform for supporting a site layout line;

[0013]FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 4-4 of FIG.3;

[0014]FIG. 5 is an enlarged perspective view of another form of lineplatform for supporting a site layout line;

[0015]FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 6-6 of FIG.5;

[0016]FIG. 7 is perspective view of a modified form of site layout linesupport, including a slidable extension member;

[0017]FIG. 8 is a top view of the support shown in FIG. 7;

[0018]FIG. 9 is a top view of a further modified form of layout linesupport;

[0019]FIG. 10 is a plan view of a trench in which leveling can beaccomplished using the site line layout support shown in FIGS. 1 and 2;

[0020]FIG. 11 is an elevational view of the trench shown in FIG. 10;

[0021]FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a site layout arrangement for abrick sidewalk;

[0022]FIG. 13 is a plan view showing use of the site layout line supportfor squaring a brick patio; and

[0023]FIG. 14 is a fragmentary elevational view of an arrangement forattaching a survey transit pole to a site layout stake.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0024] Referring to the drawings, and particularly to FIGS. 1 and 2thereof, there is shown an embodiment of a site layout line support 10in accordance with the present invention. Support 10 is carried on astake 12, which can be a cylindrical metal stake as shown, or it can bea wood stake. Support 10 includes a support body 14 in the form of atubular sleeve that is slidable axially along the outer surface of stake12 to change the elevation of support 10 relative to stake 12 orrelative to the ground. Support body 14 serves as a positioning sleevethat can be secured at a desired position along stake 12 by a clampingbolt 16, which can have a T-handle, as shown, or it can be a spade headthumbscrew or a thumbscrew with a knurled outer knob, or the like, aswill be appreciated by those skilled in the art. Clamping bolt 16extends substantially radially relative to stake 12, and when tightenedagainst stake 12 it securely holds support 10 in a desired vertical andcircumferential position on stake 12.

[0025] Support body 14 includes a pair of first and second lateralmembers 20, 22 that extend outwardly therefrom in a substantially radialdirection. Lateral members 20, 22 can be welded to support body 14 andserve as a locating tab and as a layout line clamp support,respectively. Each of lateral members 20, 22 has a respectiveradially-extending upper surface 24, 26 and the lateral members arecircumferentially offset from each other relative to support body 14. Inthat regard, the circumferential offset between the first and secondlateral members can be of the order of from about 120° to about 180°.

[0026] Upper surface 24 of lateral member 20 serves as a referencesurface, as will be explained hereinafter. Upper surface 26 of lateralmember 22 supports a layout line platform 30 that is securely fastenedto lateral member 22, such as by welding. The upper surface of platform30 lies in the same plane as upper surface 26 of lateral member 20.Above line platform 30 is a layout line clamping member, which can be athumbscrew that is rotatably carried in a threaded opening provided inan angle bracket 34 that is also secured to lateral member 22 bywelding, or the like. The threaded portion of thumbscrew 32 can have aflat outer end, or it can carry a swivel pad 36, as shown in FIG. 1.Spaced directly below thumbscrew 32 and formed in the upper surface ofplatform 30 is a linearly-extending recess, groove, or slot 38 toreceive and support a layout line 40. Thumbscrew 32 serves to firmlyclamp and hold layout line 40 in a desired position against platform 30.Although illustrated and described in terms of a thumbscrew, other lineclamping arrangements can also be employed, such as spring clamps,ratchet-based clamps, and the like.

[0027]FIGS. 3 through 6 show only two of many different possible formsof layout-line-receiving recesses and layout line platform structures.In FIGS. 3 and 4, line platform 30 of FIG. 1 is shown in enlarged form.Platform 30 includes linear groove or slot 38, which preferably has adepth that is less than the diameter of layout line 40 to enable aportion of the line to protrude above the upper surface of platform 30so that it can be securely clamped to the platform. In the embodimentshown in FIGS. 5 and 6, line platform 42 includes two substantiallyparallel, spaced protrusions 44 that extend upwardly from the uppersurface of line platform 42. Protrusions 44 each include respectiverecesses or slots 46 that are aligned with each other and that areadapted to receive layout line 40. In the embodiment of FIGS. 5 and 6layout line 40 is clamped directly to the upper surface of platform 42,with slots 46 serving to receive line 40 and thereby fix its orientationand position.

[0028] Another layout line support configuration, utilizing the basicline clamp structure shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, is shown in FIGS. 7 and 8.Support 48 as there shown is similar to that of support 10 shown inFIGS. 1 and 2, except that it includes two opposed clamping bolts 50, 52to engage the surface of stake 12. It also includes alaterally-extending side passageway 54 to slidably receive an extensionbar 56. As illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8, side passageway 54 andextension bar 56 are of rectangular cross section, although othercross-sectional shapes can also be utilized. Extending into sidepassageway 54 is a thumbscrew 58 to clamp extension bar 56 securely in adesired position relative to support 48. Additionally, extension bar 56carries a layout line clamp 60 that is structurally similar to lineclamp 28 of FIGS. 1 and 2, except that line clamp 60 is movable alongextension bar 56 and can be secured in a desired position by the use ofthumbscrew 58. Further, the upper surfaces of the line platformsassociated with line clamps 28 and 60 lie in the same plane as the uppersurface of support 48. And as is apparent from FIGS. 7 and 8, twomutually perpendicular layout lines 62, 64 are supported by the linesupport structure there shown. Support 48 is adjustable vertically alongstake 12, and line clamp 60 is adjustable horizontally along extensionbar 56. Thus, both vertical and horizontal adjustments of theintersection of layout lines 62, 64 can be made without moving stake 12and without untying or unclamping the layout lines.

[0029] A further structural variation of a layout line support is shownin FIG. 9. As there shown, each of a pair of spaced stakes 12 carries astake-mounted layout line support 48 of the type shown in FIGS. 7 and 8.An extension bar 56 is clampingly received in corresponding, alignedpassageways 54 in each of supports 48. A slidable layout line support60, having the structure shown in FIG. 7, is carried on extension bar56. Again, as in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the FIG. 9embodiment also allows vertical adjustment of each of layout lines 62,64, and it also allows shifting of the intersection point between thoselayout lines, each adjustment being possible without moving either ofthe stakes and without untying or unclamping either of the layout lines.

[0030] Several possible applications of the site layout line supportdescribed herein to set layout lines for different projects are shown inFIGS. 10 through 13. FIGS. 10 and 11 show plan and elevational views ofa serpentine gravel trench 66 in which several stakes 12 are placedhaving layout line supports 10 of the type herein described. A layoutline 68 extends along trench 66 between successive stakes 12. A transit70 is utilized along with a transit pole 72 to establish the grade forthe trench, which can be a trench for a water-carrying line (not shown),or for a walkway, for example. The base of transit pole 70 is placedagainst upper surface 24 of locating tab 20 provided on layout linesupport 10, which lies in the same plane as the upper surface of linesupport platform 30. Any necessary adjustments of the line support alonga stake can readily be made by loosening the clamping bolt 16 to arrangeline 68 to define a required drop or slope in the grade along thetrench. A line level 74 can be utilized to assure a proper level of thelayout line between particular stakes along the trench if a level gradeis desired.

[0031]FIG. 12 shows the use of the present invention for providinglayout lines for a structure such as a brick sidewalk having a gravelbase 76. A rectangular array of stakes 12 is provided, each stakeincluding a layout line support 10. Either a line level 74, or, if thespacing between stakes allows, a carpenter's level 78, can be utilizedfor properly positioning layout lines 80, 82.

[0032]FIG. 13 shows the use of the present invention to square thelayout lines at a corner of a patio to be formed from brick pavers 84.The layout line support structure shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 can beutilized, which allows quick adjustment of the respective layout lines62, 64 to accurately form a right angle intersection of the lines usinga carpenter's square 86.

[0033]FIG. 14 shows a transit pole arrangement that allows a one-personsetup of layout lines utilizing a transit and a layout line supportarrangement in accordance with the present invention. A tubular sleeve90 is provided having an inner diameter of a size to allow the sleeve tobe slidably received on stake 12. The attachment of transit pole 72 tosleeve 90 can be effected by an elastic band 94 that has a width toallow it to overlap itself when it is wrapped around pale 72 and sleeve90 in the direction indicated by arrow 96. Band 94 can have a length ofabout 1 foot and carries a fastening arrangement to allow removableapplication of the band to the pole and sleeve. One form of suitablefastening arrangement is a two-component Velcro® fastener in which onecomponent 98 of a Velcro® hook-and-loop system is secured along onelongitudinal edge of band 94 on one face of the band, while the othercomponent 100 is secured along the opposite longitudinal edge of band 94and on the face of the band opposite to the face on which component 98is secured. One or more elongated longitudinal openings 102 can beprovided in band 94 to expose the scale markings carried by transit pole72. Thus, when sleeve 90 is placed on stake 12, transit pole 72 can beretained in position relative to 12 stake while the base of the polerests against upper face 24 of locating tab 20 of layout line support10, such as that illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2.

[0034] It will be apparent that the present invention greatly simplifieslayout line adjustments. No tying and untying of the layout line to andfrom a stake is required, nor is stake repositioning necessary if theinitial stake position is too far off a necessary position. Further,utilizing the present invention a novice can quickly install accuratelayout lines for foundations, walls, patios, walkways, sheds, decks, andother construction projects.

[0035] Although particular embodiments of the present invention havebeen illustrated and described, it will be apparent to those skilled inthe art that changes and modifications can be made without departingfrom the spirit of the present invention. Accordingly, it is intended toencompass within the appended claims all such changes and modificationsthat fall with the scope of the present invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A layout line support member comprising: a) asupport body having a longitudinal axis; b) a first lateral membercarried by the support body and including a laterally-extending locatingsurface; c) a second lateral member carried by the support body andcircumferentially offset from the first lateral member, the secondlateral member including a transversely-extending platform including alayout line support surface; and d) a line clamping member carried bythe second lateral member for clamping and holding a layout line in adesired position relative to the support body.
 2. A layout line supportin accordance with claim 1, wherein the support body includes alongitudinally-extending through passageway to allow the support body tobe slidably carried on a layout stake.
 3. A layout line support inaccordance with claim 2, wherein the support body is a tubularstructure.
 4. A layout line support in accordance with claim 2,including a holding member carried by the support body for securing thesupport body to the stake at a desired position.
 5. A layout linesupport in accordance with claim 4, wherein the holding member isthreadedly carried by the support body.
 6. A layout line support inaccordance with claim 1, wherein the line clamping member is a thumbscrew having a free end for contacting a layout line and positioned tohold the line against the first lateral member.
 7. A layout line supportin accordance with claim 6, wherein the thumb screw includes a swivelpad at its free end for engaging and clamping the layout line againstthe first lateral member.
 8. A layout line support in accordance withclaim 1, including a transversely-extending tubular support carried bythe second lateral member for slidably supporting an extension bar.
 9. Alayout line support in accordance with claim 8, including an extensionbar clamping member carried by the second lateral member for securelyholding the extension bar in a desired position relative to the supportbody.
 10. A layout line support in accordance with claim 9, wherein theextension bar slidably supports a second line clamping member forengagement with a second layout line.
 11. A layout line support inaccordance with claim 1, wherein the layout line support surfaceincludes a linear recess for receiving a portion of the layout line andfor positioning the layout line relative to the support body.
 12. Alayout line support in accordance with claim 11, wherein the linearrecess extends across the layout line support surface.
 13. A layout linesupport in accordance with claim 11, wherein the linear recess is formedin an upwardly-extending protrusion carried by the layout line supportsurface.
 14. A layout line support in accordance with claim 13, whereina pair of spaced, elongated protrusions are provided in the layout linesupport surface, and each protrusion includes a linear recess, andwherein the linear recesses are aligned with each other.
 15. A layoutline support in accordance with claim 1, wherein the circumferentialoffset between the first and second lateral members is from about 120°to about 180°.